CISF Protectors stunned Indian Super League (ISL) side Mumbai City FC for their first win in a Group C encounter of the 133rd IndianOil Durand Cup played at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Monday. An early goal from Santosh Kumar and a late goal from Sahil Kumar ensured that the para-military outfit recorded an outstanding victory over the ISL side.

Mohan Suresh Dass made five changes to Mumbai City FC’s starting line-up while CISF Protectors XI Head Coach Ajit Kumar made two changes and started in a 3-5-2 formation.

CISF took the early lead in the third minute of the game with a beautiful cross from the left from Bebeto reaching Santosh who was unmarked at the far post. He finished it perfectly, giving his side the lead.

The youngsters of Mumbai City FC were finding it difficult to get their footing in the match and had to once again defend deep inside their own half. CISF were dominating possession and threatened in attack. Santosh Kumar could have doubled the lead as he found himself free with the goalkeeper, but the striker hit his effort wide.

Mumbai City FC looked better in the last minutes of the first half but still were not able to trouble the CISF goalkeeper who did not have a save to make in the whole half. At the other end, CISF created a couple more chances to keep the Mumbai City FC defence on bay.

CISF began the second half with a flurry of attacks as Pawan Pratap missed a chance to score, but his effort went wide. Mumbai City FC were trying to create chances but most of them were not fruitful as the CISF defence showed more physicality to stem the attacks.

CISF finished off the game with Sahil Kumar finding the net in the final minute of injury time to see off a clean performance by the team.

FC Goa edge past Rangdajied United FC in thriller 

FC Goa kicked off their Durand Cup 2024 campaign with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Rangdajied United FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Monday.

The clash began with Rangdajied United taking an early lead through Owanijuh Pajuh in the 19th minute. Despite the Gaurs’ efforts to equalize in the first half, they entered halftime trailing 0-1.

The second half saw a revitalized FC Goa side, with captain Leander D'Cunha scoring the equalizer in the 48th minute. The momentum then shifted, as Devendra Murgaokar put the Men in Orange ahead with a well-placed goal in the 58th minute. However, Rangdajied United's Pynbhalang Suting equalized shortly after, bringing the score to 2-2.

Goa regained the lead in the 80th minute when Lalthangliana successfully converted a penalty. However, as Apborlang Kurbah leveled the score once again for the Shillong-based side five minutes later, the match seemed poised for a dramatic finish.

In the dying moments of the game, Vellington Fernandes emerged as the hero for FC Goa, finding the back of the net in the 7th minute of added time, sealing a memorable victory for the Gaurs by a 4-3 scoreline.

Head Coach Israil Gurung and his boys will now look to carry this momentum into their next Durand Cup fixture on Thursday, when they take on Tribhuwan Army FC from Nepal.

 

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FC GoaMumbai City FC